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Tuesday, April 12, 2016

John's Way

"The Gospel according to John" (title).

John is the Frank Sinatra of the Four Evangelists. He did it his way. While Matthew, Mark, and Luke resemble each other in certain fundamental ways, John stands apart. His Gospel reads a different way.

Perhaps the best example of this is the placement of Holy Communion. Matthew, Mark, and Luke locate the giving of this precious gift on Maundy Thursday, just before the death of Jesus. John is different. He appears to omit the body-and-blood details of the Last Supper. The truth, however, is that he covered them already in John 6:

"He that eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day" (John 6:54).

These words of Jesus are a golden commentary on Communion. John wants us to make that final connection and then to meditate on these words both in preparation for the Sacrament and afterward.

There is only one Gospel, but Four Evangelists. They give us the one Christ and faith but in different ways, especially John. Don't be afraid to share the truth in your own way. God is leading you.